Rapid mounting shelf

ABSTRACT

A shelf is adapted for rapid and easy mounting. The shelf platform has a contoured opening formed in its underside, into which is fit a member securable to a wall. After the member is secured to the wall, it is inserted into that contoured opening securing the shelf to the wall. A bracket can be attached to the underside of the shelf platform to more evenly distribute the shelf load.

United States Patent [191 Wachtel RAPID MOUNTING SHELF [76] Inventor:Samuel Joseph Wachtel, 27 Valley Ln. West, N. Woodmere, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1971 [211 App]. No.: 208,070

[52] US. Cl. 108/152 [51] Int. Cl. A471) 5/00 [58] Field of Search208/152, 156, 157; 248/239, 243

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,207,100 9/1965 Peacock108/ 152 3,381,636 5/1968 Saiberlich 108/152 3,333,555 8/1967 Kapnek108/152 2,911,108 11/1959 Nield 108/152 [451 Aug. 23, 1973 3,048,279 8/1962 Mann 108/152 3 ,265,344. 8/1966 Omstein 108/152 2,842,270 7/1958Massey 108/152 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney-Jay D. GordonABSTRACT A shelf is adapted for rapid and easy mounting. The shelfplatform has a contoured opening formed in its underside, into which isfit a member securable to a wall. After the member is secured to thewall, it is inserted into that contoured opening securing the shelf tothe wall. A bracket can be attached to the underside of the shelfplatform to more evenly distribute the shelf load.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures RAPID MOUNTING SHELF BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a shelf adapted for rapid.and easy mounting.

are characterized by a top surface which isgenerally horizontal. Tomount a single shelf two standards and two brackets are needed.Theshelfisithen-placed upon the bracket top edges.

The drawbacks of the above system are obvious. To mount just one shelf,a plurality of time consuming steps are necessary. Two standards imustbe'fastened to a wall with a minimum of two screws each. Brackets mustthenbe placed inopenings in each standard, both at an equal elevation.The brackets must then be secured to the standards-within the openings.Lastly, the shalf is placed atop the brackets and in some instances,fastened to the brackets. As often happens, the standards are not equalelevation and, consequently, the shelf will not rest in a horizontalposition.

In the above system the standard leaves unsightly marks on the wall ifremoved, and therefore, its removal leaves behind at least four screwholes plus the standard marks, Additionally, of major disadvantage inthis system, is that the cost of the standards and brackets is oftengreater than the cost of the shelf.

Another mehtod of shelf mounting involves brackets which have a ratherwide top surface as well-as side surface. The side surface is fastenedto, and bears against, the wall. Generally, a screw is received in thebracket and is secured to the wall. Once the brackets are fastened tothe wall the shelf is placed on their top surfaces, and'where there isprovision, fastened thereto. As in the case where standards are used, itis difficult and time consuming to secure these brackets at the sameelevation; therefore, shelves mounted in this manneroften hang atanunwanted angle.

The shelf of the instant invention is uniquely adapted for rapid andeasy mounting. The mounting elements are inexpensive and the mountobtained is secure and dependable.

SUMMARY It is a primary object of the present invention to provide arapid and easy mounting shelf.

Another object of the present invention is the provision. of a shelf,the. mounting of which is secure and dependable. i

In accordance with the present invention, the shelf platform. has. anelongated; trapezoidal sl'otformed inthe underside thereof. An opening,contoured for theclose reception of a fasteningelement is alsoformedinopenings 20'not only provides the vertical support These and otherobjects of the present invention will be apparent as the descriptioncontinues.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, is perspective view of the undersideof the shelf platform.

FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the securing element.

FIG. 3, is a perspective view of the bracket.

FIG. '4, is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment securingelement.-

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the shelf assembled to the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 'Referringto FIG. 1, there is illustrated the shelfplatform 10 shown with its underside 12 facing upwards.

That platform appears conventional except forthe slot '14 which can bethe product of a milling or other convenient operation. As shown in thepreferred embodiment the slot 14 is elongated (extending across most ofthe width of the platform) and can be of trapezoidal cross section, the"purpose of which will be apparent as to an upstanding member or wall.It should be obviousthat a screw or toggle bolt etc., can replace thenail 32 as may be desired. Of further mention at this point is that thenail 32 can be of unitary construction with the securing element 24.That is, the central bore 30 can be omitted and the element 24 can havea unitary nail or screw formed at, and protruding from, the tail section28. Element 24 is then driven into the wall until the tail section 30contacted the wall. i a

In assembling the platform 10 to a wall, two securing elements 24, ofthe type hereinbefore described are secured to a wall at equalelevation. The platform is turned and placed over the securing elementssuch thz'it' the head sections 22 fit into the contoured openings Theclose reception of the head sections 22 meme;

needed for the platform but also inhibits any possible movement of theplatform in the plane of said platform.

It should be obvious that the length of the cylindrical the'shelfunderside. Thefasteningelementis securedto the wall andis receivedwithin thecontoured-opening. A bracket has a. trapezoidal protrusionwhich is received within the trapezoidal slot and is angular-so as tocontact the wall. The-shelf, thusdescribed isquickly secured tothe walland held firmly in place.

section 26 should correspond to the distance between the: opening 20 andthe platform side 18. As such, the side 18 will be flush with the wallwhen the platform-III is mounted. To bring the platform side I8 asclose" to i the wall as possible, asrecess (not shown) be" formed inside 18 adapted to receive the tail section 28" therein. Alternatively,the tail section 28 can'be omit-1 ted altogether, such that the end ofthe cylindricals'ection 26' is flush with the platformside 18, which"plat; fonn side will then be flush with thewall. i I

As indicated previously, the securingelement 24'' need not be designedwith a tail section 28. fact it needn'ot be cylindrical. In FIG. 4,asecuri'ngele'iriient is shown as a flat trapezoidal section 24'with sure base'36' and a small base 38. A screw 40 (it"caribe a nail) is'unitary with the small base 38 and theeirtire unit is screwed into thewall by means of slot 42. A mating trapezoidal opening may be formed inthe platform underside which receives therein the section 34. It shouldbe obvious that when the base 38 is flush with the platform side 18which in turn is flush the wall, the thickening of section 34 preventshorizontal movement of the platform 10.

The shelf as hereinbefore described will remain securely fastened to thewall if two securing elements 24 are used. However, it has been foundadvantageous to distribute the load of the platform and its contentsover a much larger weight bearing area so as to reduce stress.Additionally, it has been found of great advantage to transfer a portionof the vertical load on the wall to a horizontal load on the wall. As aresult the shelf is provided with the bracket 42 shown best in FIG. 3.That bracket is charactarized by a body section 44, a top section 46 inthe shape of a trapezoidal protrusion, and a pressure bearing section48. As shown, the body section 44 is disposed at an angle to the topsection 46, but the pressure bearing section 48 is substantiallyperpendicualr to the top section 46. Of note at this point, is that thetop section 46 is dimensioned to be closely received within the slot 14.Before receiving the securing element 24 within the opening 20, the topsection 46 is inserted within the slot that the pressure bearing section48 faces platform side 18. The bracket is urged as far forward as it cango into the slot. The bracket 42 is designed such that when it is as farinto the slot as it can go, the pressure surface 48 will be flush withplatform side 18. As shown in FIG. 5, when the securing element 24 isrecieved within the opening 20, the pressure surface 48 bears againstthe wall. In this manner a part of the weight of the platform anditscontents is transferred from the securing elements 24 to the pressuresurface 48. This load distribution reduces stress and provides for asecure mounting. As should be noted, when the bracket 42 is in its mostforward position, bottom section 42 does not interfere with the opening20.

Another embodiment of the present invention is worth mention. In somesituations it may be desirable to produce a plate (not shown),fastenable to the underside of platform 10, which plate has formedtherein the opening 20 and slot 14 such as hereinbefore described. Uponconnecting the plat to the platfrom underside, the assemblage and use ofthe shelf is essentially as previously described.

As has been seen the present invention provides a rapid and easymounting shelf. A minimum of effort and inconvenience is attendant tothe achievement of a stable and secure mounting.

It is obvious that the many changes may be made in the details of theinstant invention without departing from the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing memberadapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform havingformed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receivetherein said member, said member of a shape which tends to restrict themovement of said platform along the plane of said platform (the shelf ofclaim 1 in which) said securing member being generally cylindricalcomprising a widened head section adapted to be received within awidened section of said contoured opening, (whereby it restrictsmovement of said plat form along the plane of said platform).

2. The shelf of claim 1 wherein said securing member is trapezoidal inshape, and adapted to be received within said contoured opening which isof compatible trapezoidal shape, whereby movement of said platform alongthe plane of said platform is restricted.

3. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing memberadapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform havingformed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receivetherein said securing member, said member and said opening of a shapewhich tends to restrict movement of said platform along the plane ofsaid plat form said platform having a slot formed in the undersidethereof, and a bracket securable to said platform -within said opening,whereby upon assemblage of said member to said upstanding structure,said platform to said member, and said bracket within said slot, saidmember fits into said contoured opening firmly securing said platform tosaid upstanding structure and said bracket contacts said upstandingstructure.

4. The shelf of claim 3 wherein said slot is elingated and trapezoidalin shape, the small base of which faces the platform underside, saidbracket comprising a trapezoidal protrusion adapted to be closelyreceived within said slot.

5. The shelf of claim 1 in which said member is gener ally cylindrical,comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within awidened section of said contoured opening, whereby movement of saidplatform along the plane of said platform is restricted.

4 i i i t

1. A shelf which comprises a weight bearing platform, a securing memberadapted to be fastened to an upstanding structure, said platform havingformed in the underside thereof an opening contoured to closely receivetherein said member, said member of a shape which tends to restrict themovement of said platform along the plane of said platform (the shelf ofclaim 1 in which) said securing member being generally cylindricalcomprising a widened head section adapted to be received within awidened section of said contoured opening, (whereby it restrictsmovement of said platform along the plane of said platform).
 2. Theshelf of claim 1 wherein said securing member is trapezoidal in shape,and adapted to be received within said contoured opening which is ofcompatible trapezoidal shape, whereby movement of said platform alongthe plane of said platform is restricted.
 3. A shelf which comprises aweight bearing platform, a securing member adapted to be fastened to anupstanding structure, said platform having formed in the undersidethereof an opening contoured to closely receive therein said securingmember, said member and said opening of a shape which tends to restrictmovement of said platform along the plane of said platform said platformhaving a slot formed in the underside thereof, and a bracket securableto said platform within said opening, whereby upon assemblage of saidmember to said upstanding structure, said platform to said member, andsaid bracket within said slot, said member fits into said contouredopeniNg firmly securing said platform to said upstanding structure andsaid bracket contacts said upstanding structure.
 4. The shelf of claim 3wherein said slot is elingated and trapezoidal in shape, the small baseof which faces the platform underside, said bracket comprising atrapezoidal protrusion adapted to be closely received within said slot.5. The shelf of claim 1 in which said member is generally cylindrical,comprising a widened head section adapted to be received within awidened section of said contoured opening, whereby movement of saidplatform along the plane of said platform is restricted.